The time it takes to finish a writing project depends on multiple factors that are completely within our control. Too often, writers fail to do the necessary preparation work—eagerly opting to begin writing without researching their topic, outlining their thoughts, or gaining client approval—or we let common distractors stop us from creating great content. When we commit to overcoming these challenges, though, we can consistently create incredible work easier than we ever thought possible.
In this #ContentChat recap we explain how content marketers can set a better writing foundation with Anne Janzer (@AnneJanzer), an award-winning author, nonfiction writing coach, and marketing practitioner.
Learn more about Anne’s The Writer’s Process and The Writer’s Process Workbook, and read the full recap below to learn:
- How to find inspiration for your writing
- Ways to efficiently review your content
- Tips for strengthening your writing skills
Q1: What does your writer’s process look like?
The community shares their writer’s processes below. Most of us start a new writing project by conducting research, outlining our content, and freewriting to get our initial thoughts down. Then we start writing the ugly first draft, conduct more research to fill in gaps, and finally conduct a full review.
A1: My personal process has multiple parts:
Freewriting
Research (as needed)
Outline/structure notes
Ugly first draft
Revise
Polish and publishIf I lump them together or skip one, I regret it. #ContentChat
— Anne Janzer (@AnneJanzer) October 17, 2022
A1: The simplified version:
– Topic ideation/agreement (for a client piece)
– Keyword research to inform structure/understand intent
– Outline
– Draft
– EditsTL:DR; Never start with a blank page! #ContentChat
— Maddy Osman (French) (@MaddyOsman) October 17, 2022
A1a: For my book, I started with a rough outline, starting with the sections, then the chapters I knew I wanted to include. I sort of jumped around a lot while I was writing depending on where my mind was at. #ContentChat
— Andi Robinson (@hijinxmarketing) October 17, 2022
A1b: From a physical process perspective, I wrote on the weekends and breaks. And usually from a @McDonalds (with a large Diet Coke and cookies) or from another restaurant or similar location. #ContentChat
— Andi Robinson (@hijinxmarketing) October 17, 2022
A1c: When it comes to my blog posts, I usually have an idea or thought and just start writing. Sometimes on my phone, sometimes on my laptop. Usually in the evenings or on weekends. I don’t really have much of a standard process for blogs. #ContentChat
— Andi Robinson (@hijinxmarketing) October 17, 2022
A1: PHEW haha!
Observation (may include eavesdropping. Plz don’t judge. I have sharp ears)
Hypothesis
Research
Outline
Beat myself up over introductions
Writer, edit, rewrite
Publish #ContentChat— Vuh-suun-dher-ah (She/Her) (@ThisDhara) October 17, 2022
A1: It starts with:
– Keyword research (to double check if it’s been awhile since I pulled the analytics reports).
then outlining, then drafts, then revisions, then adding visualizations, then proofread, then publish! 😊#ContentChat
— Sweepsify (@Sweepsify_) October 17, 2022
A1:
-Preliminary research
-Start sourcing SME
-Outline with headers, subheaders, bullets, and stats
-More research
-Write (body > conclusion > intro)
-Edit (my work is always v. messy prior to edits, a few rounds of edits polish it off and pull it together!)#ContentChat— Dana Nicole | SaaS Writer + SEO (@dana_nic0le) October 17, 2022
A1: Writing process:
Write words.
Tell stories.
Make someone smile.
Sometimes all for me 😉Not a whole lot of process involved. Write. That’s the key. #contentChat https://t.co/9ygg5M90WS
— Kathryn Lang – hopesmith and dream ignitor (@Kathrynclang) October 17, 2022
A1: I’m not sure I have much of a “process” exactly but:
1. structure and format what I’m going to write mentally first.
2. let this sit and continue to think of sub topics of the main topic
3. write out my introduction then my subheadings
4. Edit as I go#ContentChat
— Benjamin Katz (@BKatz301) October 17, 2022
A1: My writer’s process can be a bit scattered:
– Research
– Create a rough outline w/ headers and subheads
– Build out body (starting with sections that I feel more prepared to discuss)
– More research to fill in gaps
– Tackle intro and conclusion
– Full review#ContentChat— Alek Irvin (@AlekIrvin) October 17, 2022